Former San Francisco 49ers safety and current football analyst Donte Whitner was on KNBR Radio Tuesday to discuss the team's recent preseason game. Though he was asked about the defense, specifically the safeties, much of his time on air was spent discussing rookie quarterback, Trey Lance.

Whitner has attended some of the 49ers practices and has watched Lance throughout. He noted that although Lance has looked good in practice, and even some in the game, Whitner does not feel Lance is quite ready to take over as the starting quarterback. Said Whitner, "He has all the measurables, arm strength, the ability to escape the pocket, everything that you look for in a young quarterback. But what I did see in the game Saturday night was Steve Spagnuolo (Kansas City defensive coordinator) throw some veteran players out there, and kind of confuse him a little after that 80 yard touchdown."


Whitner intimated that Spagnuolo got mad after the big touchdown throw from the rookie quarterback, and decided to turn up the pressure and hit Lance more. He mentioned one play specifically during which 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan tried to give Lance all the information that he needed to read the defense pre-snap, through motion, etc., and Spagnuolo countered with some different looks, including a blitz that confused the young quarterback.

Whitner continued, "That's why I say to everybody, yes, he has all the tools and the capabilities, but there are still veteran things out there that you have to be able to distinguish, pre-snap and even post-snap, and he's just not there yet."

Whitner said that with Lance's abilities, it is possible he could be the starter, considering they kept a lot of things out of this game, specifically with his running ability. Said the former safety, "A stable in Shanahan's offense is that RPO, run-pass option, and utilizing the quarterback's legs and getting outside the pocket. We didn't see any of that stuff. And that's a big part of this offense."

Whitner added that as far as special situations, like third down, on which you know you have to drop back, and the defense is going to scheme against you, Lance simply isn't ready. He mentioned that lot of young quarterbacks aren't ready at this point. But he did note that Jimmy Garoppolo has seen it all.

"If I'm the general manager, if I'm making the decisions, I will say that you sit him and you let him pick up the nuances of the game and don't just throw him out there," said Whitner.

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Marc Adams


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